INRI FILMS is an independent Christian film production company, best known for its award-winning telefilm, The Christmas Gift.
Mission Statement:
INRI FILMS is committed to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth through the powerful medium of film. Our mission is to inspire and motivate viewers to reflect, repent, and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. We are dedicated to producing films that inspire, uplift, and entertain audiences.
Founded in 2009, INRI FILMS was established to meet the growing demand for high-quality, mainstream cinema that reflects Christian beliefs and values.
History of INRI FILMS
J. Vimal Raj, the Founder and Director of INRI FILMS, was born with dyslexia and faced significant challenges in reading and writing. He struggled academically and found it difficult to keep pace with his peers. His father, who had high hopes of enrolling him in a prestigious Sainik school, was deeply disappointed by his poor academic performance.
Rejected, humiliated, and ridiculed by his father, classmates, and teachers, Vimal Raj reached a breaking point. While in the eighth grade, he attempted to end his life—an effort that, fortunately, was unsuccessful. In his despair, he began to pray, asking God to take him back home.
Everything changed when one of his teachers, Mr. Romald, organized a spiritual retreat at the school. That retreat became a turning point. During the event, Vimal Raj was anointed by the Holy Spirit and accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour, Father, and Lord of his life.
Inspired by the words of St. Francis of Assisi—“Lord, what do You want me to do?”—he began to write stories, and a deep desire to create Christian films took root in his heart. Over time, he honed his skills by working in the Indian film industry across Bollywood, Tollywood, and Kollywood in various roles including cinematographer, stereo rig engineer, editor, and colourist.
He is also among the few Indian 3D technicians trained by 3ality to operate advanced 3D camera rigs used in major Hollywood productions such as Spiderman and The Hobbit.
In 2009, he produced and directed his first Christian film, The Christmas Gift, which went on to win the Best Picture Award at the Chennai Christian Short Film Festival 2010, organized by DBICA.
The name INRI FILMS was given by the late Rev. Fr. Antony Samy OFM Cap., in honor of the inscription above the cross of Jesus Christ: Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum—“Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
